BHEL has commissioned a 250-MW eco-friendly unit using low grade coal (lignite) as primary fuel.
The lignite-based thermal unit, based on circulating fluidised bed combustion (CFBC) technology, is the second such facility to be commissioned at Bhavnagar Energy Company’s (BECL) 2×250-MW thermal power project at Padva in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat.
The first unit of the project was commissioned earlier in May 2016. The project is based on CFBC technology — an environment friendly one to utilise India’s large resource of low grade, high moisture lignite.
BHEL has the unique distinction of engineering, supply, installation and commissioning of four units of India’s largest capacity CFBC boilers of 250 MW rating, including the two units at Bhavnagar.
Earlier in Gujarat, BHEL has executed the 4×125 MW Surat lignite power project in Surat district, also involving the CFBC technology.
CFBC boilers are highly fuel flexible and can burn a wide array of fuels, including lignite, and are highly environment friendly with very low pollutant emission.